By amberherrle
As everyone is well aware, last week Bashar al Assad's regime carried out chemical weapon attacks on Syria's citizens in the northern province, Ilbid. The US President react swiftly by bombing one of Assad's airfields that is mostly used by Russian military forces. I have had so many friends reaching out to me, asking me what it feels like to be here at this time.
My reactions are not any different here than they would be in the United States. Amman is the same, Jordan is the same. In Amman, I'm only a few hours away from the airfield that was bombed but still, nothing has changed here. That has been the most surprising aspect of all of this. Jordan is so exceptionally peaceful and stable. And that has not changed.
The crisis in Syria has had detrimental effects on the Jordanian population and economy. There are an estimated 2 million Syrian refugees in Jordan. But still, Jordan keeps its doors open.
So when the United States, the same country that has pushed refugees out of the country and demonized these people, bombed a Syrian/Russian airfield I expected Jordanians to be angry. Angry at the United States and angry at the international governing bodies that have failed them. But I have talked with my family, talked with my family's friends and talked with friends. For them, this is no surprise. The US looking for a regime change is not a solution. Jordan will continue to take in hundreds of thousands of refugees. Jordan will continue to welcome new refugees into their economy, into their communities and into the societal fabric of Jordan. Just like they did in the early 2000s after the US invaded Iraq. Just like they have for the last 5 years in response to Assad's barbaric regime.
Jordan represents a spectacular and unique group of people. Jordan is a multicultural country, the majority of its population is made up of Palestinians. Palestinians who fled in '48 and another large group who fled in '67. While they have maintained citizenship, their national identity is Palestinian. In fact, Jordanian-Jordanian and Palestinian-Jordanian are large distinctions that are made in day-to-day conversations. And in a third wave, (wealthier) Iraqi refugees fled Baghdad, many attribute their migration to the detrimental state of the Jordanian economy. And Jordanians are living in a fourth wave today. This is not completely truthfully. Over 2 million Syrian refugees. Many Jordanians associate this influx with the growing unemployment rate among youth. But again, this is not the complete truth.
The short term effects of the US airstrike on Syria will crystalize soon. The only opinions I have heard so far are comparisons of this situation to Iraq. I know my thoughts are so jumbled, but it feels jumbled to be here and realize the unbelievable impacts that these actions have on the region. My only hope is the 10 years from now, the world will not look back on this action and think the same things that we think today about Iraq. Although, I'm doubtful.
On a happier note, my research got approved!